CC Reader Peter N. sent me these pictures of a rare 1965 DKW Hummel 155. This rather bizarrely styled 50cc motorcycle, dubbed “The Tin Banana” in Germany, was based on the popular Hummel moped, but it had a higher output 2hp engine and a three speed transmission allowing speeds up to 45mph. You may not be shocked to learn that the Hummel 155 was a dud, and production ended after just two years.
Here’s a view of that oversized headlight nacelle.
And the stats. I’m guessing it’s quite the collector’s item nowadays.
Reminds me of the bike I had as a kid, a 26-inch 1960 J.C. Higgins Deluxe Flightliner.
Not too pragmatic, it looks like a prop from “Pee Wee’s Big German Adventure”
Brilliant.
Das Motorschnitzel!
Mein fahrrad!!!!
+1
I actually like this design. Very sixties!
The styling is typical for mid sixties German bikes but the detail is amazing. Look at that stylish engine cover work. And this on a 50cc moped.
Here’s East German bigger cousin from ’64
I reckon a 1950’s retro style Jet Age look would be a disaster in 1965 but if they made them now they would probably sell by the boat load.
It always floored me that the Germans seemed to lavish the loud styling and insane designs on the 50-100cc motorcycles back then, while the big stuff (say, a BMW /2 from that time period) was conservative to the point that it looked almost identical to it’s late 50’s counterparts.
West Germany version Mid-Century Modern ???
45 mph is pretty good for a 2hp 49cc bike, my friend’s Honda CT70 could barely hit 45 and my 4hp XL75 could go 50 unless there was a hill. Most 50cc mopeds from the 70s could hold 35.
I had an ugly and very used.
1958 Vesta moped back in 1973. It barely went 20mph as it slowly self destructed.
http://mo-ped.se/mopo_nv.jpg
The Ariel Arrow did it better, although Ariel also used a 250cc twin.
I am surprised no one commented that the engine shroud is cribbed of the 1938 “shark nose” Graham. It didn’t work with the Graham and it did not work with the Hummel.